The role of carbon pricing in energy-transitions research and policy

This chapter examines the relevance of carbon pricing for transition policy. It argues that carbon pricing should be a key element of a broader transition policy as it triggers multiple processes that critically matter to a low-carbon transition. Since carbon pricing has been criticized by various r...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Van den Bergh, Jeroen|||0000-0003-3415-3083, Botzen, W. J. Wouter|||0000-0002-8563-4963
Tipo de recurso: capítulo de libro
Fecha de publicación:2022
País:España
Institución:Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
Repositorio:Dipòsit Digital de Documents de la UAB
Idioma:inglés
OAI Identifier:oai:ddd.uab.cat:277717
Acceso en línea:https://ddd.uab.cat/record/277717
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Carbon tax
Carbon market
Transition studies
Innovation policy
Climate policy
Energy policy
Policy mix
Descripción
Sumario:This chapter examines the relevance of carbon pricing for transition policy. It argues that carbon pricing should be a key element of a broader transition policy as it triggers multiple processes that critically matter to a low-carbon transition. Since carbon pricing has been criticized by various researchers in transition studies, their concerns and arguments are evaluated here. The chapter further draw attention to the international dimension of a transition to a low-carbon economy, given that climate policy is a global public good and thus amenable to free riding by countries. In addition, it clarifies the need for a policy instrument that avoids counter-productive systemic effects, such as carbon leakage and energy rebound. It is explained that carbon pricing performs relatively well in both respects. In addition, the role of carbon pricing as part of a wider policy package is examined, accounting for positive and negative synergies between instruments. The chapter ends with proposing that transition studies pay closer attention to carbon pricing, providing various recommendations for research.